Crockpot Fall Recipes 11 Cozy Set And Forget Dinners 2025

Are you tired of the evening scramble, trying to get a warm, comforting dinner on the table after a long day? When the days get shorter and the air gets cooler, the last thing anyone wants is a complicated recipe and a mountain of dishes. The pull of a cozy blanket and a relaxing evening is strong, but the family still needs to eat.

This is the classic fall dilemma. The season of comfort often brings with it the busiest schedules—back-to-school routines, holiday preparations, and end-of-year deadlines. It feels like you have to choose between a home-cooked meal and your own sanity. You crave those hearty, flavorful dinners that define autumn, but you just don’t have the time or energy to stand over a stove.

The solution is embracing the magic of your slow cooker. A crockpot is the perfect tool for fall because it allows you to “set it and forget it,” letting ingredients simmer for hours to develop incredibly deep flavors and tender textures with almost zero effort. It’s the secret to creating delicious, soul-warming soups, stews, and roasts that are ready the moment you walk in the door.

Tired of Stressful Fall Evenings? Discover the “Set It and Forget It” Secret

A crockpot is perfect for fall because it allows you to “set it and forget it.” Ingredients simmer for hours, developing deep flavors and tender textures with minimal effort, making it ideal for creating cozy soups, stews, and roasts on busy weeknights. As a home cook who juggles a busy schedule, I rely on these tried-and-true crockpot recipes to get a nourishing dinner on the table all season long. The beauty of the slow cooker lies in its simplicity; it transforms basic ingredients into something truly special while you’re busy with the rest of your day. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about creating a sense of warmth and comfort that welcomes you home.

11 Cozy Set-And-Forget Crockpot Dinners for Fall 2025

The best crockpot fall recipes are those that combine seasonal ingredients into effortless, one-pot meals. This curated list features 11 diverse and flavorful dinners, from classic beef stew to creamy Tuscan chicken, designed for ultimate simplicity. Each of these recipes has been selected for its “dump and go” nature, use of seasonal ingredients, and overwhelmingly positive feedback from our community of home cooks. Get ready to fill your home with the incredible aromas of autumn without any of the usual dinner-time stress.

1. Classic Crockpot Beef Stew

This recipe creates a traditional, hearty, and tender beef stew in the slow cooker with minimal prep. The low-and-slow cooking method guarantees fork-tender beef and perfectly cooked vegetables in a rich, savory gravy that tastes like it simmered all day—because it did!

Ingredients:
* 2 lbs beef chuck, cubed
* 4 carrots, chopped
* 3 potatoes, cubed
* 1 onion, chopped
* 4 cups beef broth
* 2 tbsp tomato paste
* 1 tsp dried thyme
* Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Place the beef, carrots, potatoes, and onion in the bottom of the crockpot.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the broth mixture over the ingredients in the crockpot.
4. Stir to combine, cover, and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until the beef is tender.

Pro Tip: For an even richer flavor, I always quickly sear the beef cubes in a hot pan with a little olive oil before adding them to the crockpot. This creates a delicious caramelized crust that adds incredible depth to the stew.

Pin this classic comfort food recipe for your next chilly evening!

2. Hearty Pumpkin Chili

This unique chili offers a seasonal twist on a classic recipe by incorporating pumpkin puree for a creamy texture and subtle sweetness. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate fall flavors in a hearty, easy-to-make weeknight meal.

Ingredients:
* 1 lb ground beef, browned
* 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
* 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed
* 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
* 1 onion, chopped
* 2 tbsp chili powder
* 1 tsp cumin

Instructions:
1. Add the browned ground beef and all other ingredients to the slow cooker.
2. Stir everything together until well combined.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
4. Serve warm with your favorite chili toppings like cheese, sour cream, or cilantro.

Lesson Learned: Don’t be afraid of the pumpkin! The first time I made this, I was worried it would taste like a pie. In my experience, it doesn’t at all. Instead, it adds a wonderful creaminess and depth of flavor that perfectly complements the warm spices.

Save this unique fall chili recipe to your ‘Dinner Ideas’ board!

3. “Set & Forget” BBQ Pulled Pork

This recipe creates incredibly tender, flavorful pulled pork for sandwiches or tacos with almost zero effort. The pork shoulder slowly cooks in a tangy and sweet BBQ sauce until it’s falling apart, making it a perfect meal for feeding a crowd or for meal prepping.

Ingredients:
* 4 lb pork shoulder (Boston butt)
* 1 onion, sliced
* 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
* 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
* 2 tbsp brown sugar
* 1 tbsp paprika

Instructions:
1. Place the sliced onion in the bottom of the crockpot and place the pork shoulder on top.
2. In a bowl, mix the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and paprika. Pour over the pork.
3. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
4. Remove the pork, shred it with two forks (it should fall apart easily), and return it to the crockpot to mix with the sauce.

Pro Tip: For the best results, I always use a bone-in pork shoulder. The bone adds a significant amount of flavor and moisture to the dish as it cooks, resulting in the most succulent pulled pork you’ve ever had.

Planning a game day? Pin this foolproof pulled pork recipe now!

4. Creamy Tuscan Chicken

This recipe helps you create an elegant and creamy chicken dinner that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant but is secretly simple to make. The chicken breasts become incredibly tender in a rich sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and parmesan.

Ingredients:
* 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 3 cups fresh spinach
* 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:
1. Place chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Sprinkle minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes over the chicken.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
4. In the last 30 minutes, stir in the heavy cream, spinach, and Parmesan cheese until the spinach has wilted. Serve over pasta or rice.

Pro Tip: In my experience, using sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil is a game-changer. I add a spoonful of the flavorful oil from the jar directly into the crockpot for an extra layer of savory, delicious flavor.

Want an easy, elegant dinner? Pin this Creamy Tuscan Chicken!

5. Ultimate Mississippi Pot Roast

This recipe shows you how to make the viral, incredibly flavorful pot roast known for its unique combination of ingredients. With just five ingredients, you can create a fall-apart tender roast with a savory, tangy gravy that is absolutely addictive.

Ingredients:
* 3-4 lb chuck roast
* 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
* 1 packet au jus gravy mix
* 1 stick of unsalted butter
* 5-6 pepperoncini peppers

Instructions:
1. Place the chuck roast in the slow cooker.
2. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning and au jus mix over the top of the roast.
3. Place the stick of butter on top of the seasonings.
4. Arrange the pepperoncini peppers around the roast.
5. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Do not add any liquid.

Lesson Learned: It might sound like a strange combination of ingredients, but trust the process! I was skeptical at first, but the flavors meld into a savory, tangy, and incredibly rich gravy that is unlike any other pot roast. It’s a family favorite for a reason.

Find out why this is the most popular pot roast on the internet. Pin it now!

6. Cozy Chicken and Dumplings

This recipe is for a classic, comforting, and simple version of chicken and dumplings using the slow cooker. Tender chicken and vegetables in a creamy base are topped with fluffy biscuit dumplings for a hearty meal that feels like a warm hug.

Ingredients:
* 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
* 2 cans (10.5 oz each) cream of chicken soup
* 1 bag (12 oz) frozen mixed vegetables
* 1 onion, chopped
* 1 can refrigerated biscuits

Instructions:
1. Place chicken, soup, vegetables, and onion in the crockpot. Stir to combine.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours.
3. Remove chicken and shred it, then return it to the pot.
4. Cut each biscuit into quarters and drop them on top of the stew.
5. Cook on high for another hour with the lid on, until dumplings are cooked through.

Pro Tip: For the fluffiest dumplings, I’ve learned not to overcrowd them. Leave a little space between each piece of biscuit dough so they have room to expand as they cook. This ensures they get light and airy instead of dense.

Save this ultimate comfort food recipe for a rainy day!

7. Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

This recipe gives you all the flavors of classic lasagna in a simple, one-pot soup that’s incredibly easy to make. Savory ground beef, rich marinara, and tender noodles come together for a comforting meal that you top with creamy ricotta and melty mozzarella.

Ingredients:
* 1 lb ground beef, browned
* 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
* 6 cups chicken broth
* 1 onion, diced
* 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
* 1 cup ricotta cheese
* 1 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions:
1. Combine the browned beef, marinara sauce, broth, and onion in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 5 hours.
2. Stir in the broken lasagna noodles and cook on high for another 30-45 minutes, until tender.
3. Ladle soup into bowls and top with a spoonful of ricotta and a sprinkle of mozzarella.

Lesson Learned: One thing I learned the hard way was to add the noodles at the very end of cooking. If you add them too early, they get mushy and absorb all the liquid in the soup. Waiting until the end keeps them perfectly al dente.

Love lasagna? Pin this easy soup version for a weeknight treat!

8. Simple Sausage and Peppers

This is a simple, flavorful, and versatile dish of Italian sausage and peppers that’s perfect for serving on hoagie rolls or over pasta. The slow cooker makes the peppers and onions incredibly tender and infuses them with the savory flavor of the sausage.

Ingredients:
* 2 lbs Italian sausage links
* 3 bell peppers (assorted colors), sliced
* 1 large onion, sliced
* 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
* 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:
1. Place the sliced peppers and onions in the bottom of the crockpot.
2. Arrange the sausage links on top.
3. In a bowl, mix the crushed tomatoes and garlic. Pour over the sausage and peppers.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours. Serve in hoagie rolls, topped with provolone cheese.

Pro Tip: For the best flavor, I always take a few extra minutes to brown the sausage links in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. This step creates a delicious caramelized exterior that really enhances the final dish.

Pin this super simple recipe for an easy game day meal!

9. Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

This recipe creates a creamy, healthy, and flavorful vegetarian soup that perfectly captures the essence of fall. The natural sweetness of the butternut squash is balanced with a tart apple and warming spices, and it’s blended into a velvety-smooth soup right in the crockpot.

Ingredients:
* 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
* 1 apple, peeled and chopped
* 1 onion, chopped
* 4 cups vegetable broth
* 1 tsp nutmeg
* 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
* Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Add the squash, apple, onion, broth, and nutmeg to the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours until the squash is very tender.
3. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth, directly in the crockpot.
4. Stir in the coconut milk, season with salt and pepper, and warm through before serving.

Lesson Learned: In my experience, an immersion blender is your best friend for creamy crockpot soups. It saves you from the messy and potentially dangerous task of transferring piping hot liquid to a traditional blender. It’s one of my most-used kitchen tools!

Looking for a healthy fall meal? Pin this creamy soup recipe!

10. Honey Garlic Meatballs

This is the ultimate simple, crowd-pleasing appetizer or easy dinner using frozen meatballs. The meatballs simmer in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, making them irresistible for parties, game days, or a quick weeknight meal over rice.

Ingredients:
* 1 bag (32 oz) frozen cooked meatballs
* 1 cup honey
* 1/2 cup soy sauce
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tbsp minced ginger

Instructions:
1. In a bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger to create the sauce.
2. Place the frozen meatballs in the crockpot.
3. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and stir to coat.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, or on high for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Pro Tip: To get a thicker, glossier sauce at the end, I mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Then, I stir it into the crockpot and cook on high for 15 more minutes. It works every time!

Need a perfect party appetizer? Pin these easy meatballs!

11. Comforting Salisbury Steak

This recipe makes a classic, comforting Salisbury steak dinner with a rich mushroom and onion gravy, all in one pot. The ground beef patties become incredibly tender and flavorful as they simmer slowly, creating a nostalgic meal perfect for a chilly evening.

Ingredients:
* 2 lbs lean ground beef
* 1 egg
* 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
* 1 onion, sliced
* 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
* 2 cups beef broth
* 1 packet onion soup mix

Instructions:
1. In a bowl, combine ground beef, egg, and breadcrumbs. Form into 6 oval patties.
2. Place sliced onions and mushrooms in the bottom of the crockpot. Place patties on top.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the beef broth and onion soup mix. Pour over the patties.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Serve over mashed potatoes.

Lesson Learned: Forming the patties beforehand is the most “work” you’ll do for this entire recipe. Once they’re in the pot, the slow cooker does the rest, creating incredibly tender patties that won’t fall apart.

Craving a classic? Pin this easy Salisbury Steak recipe for dinner tonight!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Effortless Fall Dinners

To quickly review, here are the most important things to remember for successful and delicious fall crockpot cooking. This summary reinforces the value of these recipes and helps you remember the key points for stress-free dinners.

• Embrace “Set It & Forget It”: The biggest advantage is saving time. You can prep your meal in the morning and come home to a hot, ready-to-eat dinner.
• Low and Slow is Key: For the most tender meat and deepest flavors, cooking on the low setting for a longer period is almost always the best choice.
• One-Pot Wonder: From soups to roasts, most of these recipes require only the crockpot, which means cleanup is an absolute breeze.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Prep Ahead: To make your morning routine even faster, you can chop your vegetables or mix your sauces the night before.
• Perfect for Soups, Stews & Roasts: These quintessential fall meals are where the slow cooker truly shines, breaking down ingredients and melding flavors perfectly.

People Also Ask About Crockpot Fall Recipes

Here are answers to some of the most common questions people have about using their slow cooker. Addressing these pain points helps build trust and ensures you have the most successful cooking experience.

Can you put raw meat in a crockpot?

Yes, absolutely. Slow cookers are specifically designed to safely cook raw meat. For dishes like pot roast, chicken breasts, or pork shoulder, you can place the raw meat directly into the crockpot. While browning the meat in a pan beforehand can add extra flavor, it is not a required step for a safe and delicious meal.

Why does my meat get tough in the slow cooker?

Meat can become tough if it’s a very lean cut cooked for too long, or more commonly, a tougher cut that hasn’t been cooked long enough. Tougher cuts of meat, like a chuck roast or pork shoulder, are full of connective tissue. They need a long, slow cook time (usually 8+ hours on low) to allow that tissue to break down and transform into gelatin, making the meat incredibly tender.

Do you have to brown meat before slow cooking?

No, you do not have to brown meat before slow cooking; it is an entirely optional step. The main reason for browning meat first is to add a deeper, more complex, and caramelized flavor to the dish through a process called the Maillard reaction. However, if you are short on time or want to keep it a true one-pot meal, you can skip this step and still get a fantastic result.

Final Thoughts

Embrace the simplicity and warmth that a slow cooker brings to your kitchen this fall. With these “set it and forget it” recipes, you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the cozy moments of the season—whether that’s helping with homework, carving pumpkins, or just relaxing with a good book. The crockpot isn’t just an appliance; it’s a tool that gives you back your time.

What’s your favorite comfort food to make in the crockpot? Let me know in the comments below